About AldenAlli

AldenAlli is the culmination to two families’ expertise in combining superior food, wine, and hospitality to create a sense of place and tradition. The place is Sonoma Coast, above the western most part of the United States, pushing the limits of viticulture where land meets sea. The tradition is our love of Pinot Noir and the ongoing pursuit of the most elusive reward.

The creation of AldenAlli wine began with the convergence of friendship, families, and culinary passions. Both the Kosta and Lagasse families have a long history with one another and with Pinot Noir. Dan Kosta was introduced to Burgundy wines at the young age of five, and an abundant array of Pinot Noir in the Lagasse restaurants has long been a favorite with diners. The nightly presence of Sonoma Pinot Noir at their family dinner tables has been a standing tradition for years. AldenAlli Pinot Noir tells the story of these two families’ talent for combining world class wine with great food.

ALLISON “ALLI” KOSTA

Allison “Alli” Kosta has over 20 years of experience in the food and wine industry and is a dedicated civic leader focused on enriching the lives of underserved and disadvantaged children. Reared in Northern California and a resident of Sonoma County for the last 15 years, she manages her own health coaching business and is an active volunteer in her community. She also manages to be a hands-on parent for her own three young children.

In 1995 Alli began her career in the restaurant/hospitality industry in San Francisco, where she broadened and refined her innate love for food and wine. Restaurant management and event planning offered her the opportunity to develop special hospitality skills that have served her well as the wife of a wine-maker.

After moving to Sonoma County, Alli became an active supporter of charities committed to making a difference in the lives of children. She has served on the Board of the San Francisco Chapter of Make-a-Wish Foundation, where she and her husband Dan are dedicated contributors to the annual Croquet Invitational and Charity Auction. She has led and supported numerous charitable events through the 49er Foundation and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, as well as Co-Chairing The Healdsburg School Bravissimo annual fundraiser.

In 2014 Alli launched her health coaching business where she works to motivate her clients by cultivating positive health choices through lifestyle and behavior modification strategies. She enjoys running, yoga, and tending to her expansive garden from which she is able to donate food to local families in need and charities.

Alli and Dan are the proud parents of three children: Mazie, Maggie and Sean.

Alden Lagasse

Alden Lagasse is a quintessential southern lady. She is a native of Mississippi, being born and reared on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with family connections throughout the state, from the Gulf Coast to the Mississippi Delta. Alden was graduated from the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as "Ole Miss" in 1989, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and then moved to New Orleans.

It is serendipitous that Alden Lovelace met Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans, one of the world's greatest food cities! Alden and Emeril married in New Orleans in 2000, and together with their zest for life, their adventure of food and wine began. Having grown up in the South, Alden has always had an instinctive passion for hospitality and entertaining. She considers this heritage a great foundation that has enhanced her life as the wife of a renowned, celebrated chef, and as the mother of a bustling household.

Alden and Emeril are the parents of four beautiful children; their two children together, E. J., age 12, and Meril, age 10, and Emeril's two grown daughters, Jessica Lagasse Swanson and Jillian Lagasse Yeum, who are published authors of gluten free cookbooks. The family table also often graciously includes parents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles and many cousins and friends.

Being married to a world-class chef and wine connoisseur has afforded Alden the opportunity and the privilege to experience the dynamic relationship between food and wine, and the brotherhood of respect between chefs and vintners around the world. This unique band of brothers enthusiastically share their passion with family, friends, and patrons every day. It is genuinely who they are!

Alden is co-owner of thirteen restaurants, two of which hold Wine Spectator's most prestigious Grand Award for wine, and 6 that hold Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Being involved with these award-winning restaurants has given Alden the opportunity to learn about pairing food and wine for outstanding culinary experiences.

Alden and Emeril have hosted many charity dinners for noted vintners, collectors, connoisseurs, and gourmands, while raising money for various charities and for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband in 2002. The Lagasses established the Foundation to support children's educational programs that inspire and mentor young people through culinary arts, to teach nutrition and healthy eating, and assist them in acquiring important life skills which make a lasting impact on their lives. Alli and Dan Kosta have been generous supporters of the foundation since its inception.

Dan Kosta

Dan Kosta was born in Santa Rosa, CA, in the heart of the Sonoma Wine Country. His lifelong love of food and wine led him to a career in the restaurant industry, utilizing skills learned as a child to navigate through a series of world class restaurants as a backwaiter, waiter, bartender, maître d’, operations manager and finally as wine director at the acclaimed John Ash & Company in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. It was there that Dan and his business partner Michael Browne founded Kosta Browne Winery in 1997. Over the last two decades, Kosta Browne Winery has enjoyed tremendous success, rising as one of the leading Pinot Noir producers in the United States. Now, with the launch of AldenAlli Winery, Dan is enjoying participating with the other family members to create a unique, intimate winemaking experience, reminiscent of the beginning days of Kosta Browne. Dan remains a large part of Kosta Browne, travelling across the world to tell that iconic winery’s story. In between, he is an active board member for several philanthropic organizations, including the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, as well as sitting on the Sonoma County Vintners board. Dan and Alli live in Sonoma County with their children Mazie (9), Maggie (7) and Sean (6).